Disease, Illness and Condition Library
Common Cold
in itself is not considered life threatening it can lead to other very serious conditions such as pneumonia. Medically speaking, a common cold is a viral infection of the lining of the nose, throat, and large airways. Common colds are among the most common illnesses. It may come as a surprise, that many different viruses can cause a cold, but the rhinoviruses (which there are 100 subtypes) are the culprit more often than not. Colds caused by rhinoviruses occur more often in the spring and fall; different viruses cause colds during other times of the year. Colds mainly spread when a person’s hands come into contact with nasal secretions from an infected person. These secretions contain cold viruses. When the person touches his or her mouth, nose, or eyes, the viruses gain entry to the body and produce a new cold. Less often, colds are spread when a person breathes air that contains droplets that were sneezed or coughed out by an infected person. A cold is at the height of contagion in the first one or two days after symptoms develop. Becoming chilled does not cause colds, nor does it increase a person’s susceptibility to infection. A person’s general health and general eating habits also does not seem to affect vulnerability to the infection, nor does having an abnormality of the nose or throat (such as enlarged adenoids or tonsils). Symptoms Symptoms of the common cold start 1 to 3 days after infection. Usually the first symptom is discomfort in the nose or throat. Later, the person starts sneezing, has a runny nose, and feels mildly ill. Fever is not common, but a mild fever may develop at the beginning of the illness. At first, the secretions from the nose are watery and clear and can be annoyingly plentiful, eventually they become thicker, opaque, yellow-green, and less abundant. Many people also develop a cough. Symptoms usually disappear in 4 to 10 days, although a cough may linger for 2 weeks or more. Complications may prolong the illness. Rhinovirus infection often triggers asthma attacks with people with asthma. Some people develop bacterial infections of the middle ear (otis media) or sinus because of a cold. These infections develop because congestion in the nose blocks the normal drainage of those areas, allowing bacteria to grow in collection of blocked secretions. Other people develop bacterial infections of the lower airways (secondary bronchitis or pneumonia). Doctors are usually able to diagnose a cold from the typical symptoms. A high fever, severe headache, rash, difficulty breathing, or chest pain suggests that the infection is not a simple cold. Laboratory tests usually are not required for a diagnosis but if complications are suspected your doctor may order a blood test and x-rays. Prevention Because so many different viruses cause colds and because each virus changes slightly over time, and effective vaccine has continued to elude researchers. The best preventative measure is practicing good hygiene. Because many cold viruses are spread through contact with the secretions of an infected person, both the sick person and the people in the household and office should wash their hands frequently. Sneezing and coughing should be done into a tissue, which should be carefully disposed of. When possible the sick person should sleep in a separate room. People who are coughing or sneezing from a cold should not go to work or school where they might infect others. Cleaning shared objects and surfaces can also help to reduce the spread of common cold viruses. Prevention Tips for Children If you have children, you may wonder how to prevent the common cold and though there are no proven strategies, a strong and healthy immune system will protect your child from all types of illnesses, including colds. Keep your child’s immunity in peak condition with the following tips: * As a deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals can weaken the immune system, it is important to feed your child a healthy, balanced diet. Ensure a wide variety of fruit and vegetables and limit junk food and candy. If your child is a picky eater or avoids healthy food like the plague, use a daily multivitamin supplement, including Vitamin C and zinc. * Keep your child away from second-hand cigarette smoke and obvious sources of environmentally toxic agents like car gas fumes, pollution and harsh detergents or cleaning materials. * Avoid unnecessary use of prescription medications, especially antibiotics and steroid drugs. * A healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet and regular physical exercise will help to keep your child healthy, strong and protected from illness. * Limiting the bacteria and viruses that your children come into contact with, will also decrease their risk of falling ill. * Encourage your child to maintain a healthy weight, and if your child is overweight or obese, encourage weight loss in a natural and safe manner. Conventional Treatment A person suffering with a cold should stay warm and comfortable and try to avoid spreading the infection to others. Anyone with a fever or severe symptoms should rest at home. Drinking fluids and inhaling steam or mist from a vaporizer may help to keep secretions loose and easier to expel. Currently available antiviral drugs are not effective against colds. An experimental antiviral drug called pleconaril reduces the duration and severity of cold symptoms and become available in the near future. Antibiotics do not help people with colds, even when the nose or cough produces colored mucus. Natural Remedies A popular common cold remedy is chicken soup. When chicken soup and bed rest just don’t do the trick nature prescribes a few herbal and homeopathic remedies of it’s very own that can be helpful immune system boosters. * Homeopaths and natural medicine practitioners suggest these remedies to soothe common cold symptoms and speed up recovery! Herbs such as Echinacea purpurea, Inula helenium and Withania somnifera are commonly used for their antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties and their excellent ability to support the immune system. * These herbs work as a tonic for the immune system and are an extremely successful common cold remedy. Herbal and homeopathic ingredients such as Mentha piperita, Yarrow, Nux vom, Alium cepa, Influenzinum and Baccillum also work effectively to relieve common cold symptoms and help the body get back on the road to recovery.
Native Remedies Helpful Herbal And Homeopathic Supplements ComfiCoff - Promotes relaxation to soothe throat and chest discomfort, irritation and congestion - Continue FluGo - Homeopathic remedy temporarily relieves symptoms of the flu or cold including cough; runny nose; fever; sore throat and fatigue - Continue Congesto-K-KiddieRub. - Promotes nose and chest clarity in children to maintain relaxed, easy breathing - Continue ImmunityPlus - Full immune system support for adults and teens - Continue |
| Purchase Remedies Home |
| Library Index |
